Wiring board, coupler module, and communication device

ABSTRACT

A wiring board includes couplers and external connection terminals including a first terminal group including a first antenna terminal and a first monitor terminal respectively connected to an output terminal and a coupler terminal of a coupler, and a first spacer terminal between the first antenna terminal and the first monitor terminal, and a second terminal group including a second antenna terminal and a second monitor terminal respectively connected to an output terminal and a coupler terminal of a coupler, and a second spacer terminal between the second antenna terminal and the second monitor terminal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2016-233095 filed on Nov. 30, 2016 and is a ContinuationApplication of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2017/041725 filed on Nov. 20,2017. The entire contents of each of these applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wiring board, a coupler module, and acommunication device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, there is a multi-band high-frequency module in whicha diplexer (splitter circuit) is provided in a laminated substrate,together with a switch circuit, a low pass filter circuit, a couplercircuit, and a high-frequency amplifier circuit that are provided foreach frequency band (hereinafter simply referred to as a band) (forexample, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2006-191663).

In the high-frequency module, the diplexer combines transmission signalsof respective bands into one antenna signal, and splits one antennasignal into reception signals of the respective bands. A plurality ofexternal connection terminals are provided on a mounting surface of thelaminated substrate. Included among the plurality of external connectionterminals are an antenna terminal Ant that transmits an antenna signal,and monitor terminals CP1 and CP2 that output monitor signals obtainedfrom coupler circuits for the respective bands.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-191663discloses an example of an arrangement of the external connectionterminals in which one or more terminals including a ground terminal Gare disposed between the antenna terminal Ant and the monitor terminalCP1, and between the antenna terminal Ant and the monitor terminal CP2.

In recent years, a technique called carrier aggregation (hereinafterreferred to as CA) has been studied in which high-speed andhigh-capacity radio communication is performed using a plurality ofradio waves of different bands simultaneously. In some cases, ahigh-frequency module for CA is configured to output transmissionsignals of respective bands individually instead of combining thetransmission signals of the respective bands into one signal in themodule and transmitting the one signal from an antenna.

Such a high-frequency module may be provided in which, for example, aplurality of antenna terminals that output transmission signals ofrespective bands individually are provided in place of the antennaterminal Ant in the above-described multi-band high-frequency module.

In the case in which antenna terminals for respective bands areprovided, however, there is an issue of how to provide isolation betweenthe individual antenna terminals and other terminals to avoiddeterioration of reception sensitivity caused by entry of noise or aharmonic through an antenna. Furthermore, there is concern that anincrease in the number of external connection terminals may make itdifficult to achieve both a reduction in the size of the module andisolation between terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide coupler modulesthat each include an antenna terminal and a monitor terminal that areprovided for each band and also provide high isolation betweenterminals. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide,wiring boards each including a coupler module according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, and communication devices eachincluding a coupler module according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

A wiring board according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention includes a first coupler; a second coupler; and a plurality ofexternal connection terminals. In the wiring board, each of the firstcoupler and the second coupler includes an input terminal, which is oneend of a main line, an output terminal, which is another end of the mainline, and a coupler terminal electromagnetically coupled to the inputterminal. Included among the plurality of external connection terminalsare a first terminal group including a first antenna terminal connectedto the output terminal of the first coupler, a first monitor terminalconnected to the coupler terminal of the first coupler, and a firstspacer terminal disposed between the first antenna terminal and thefirst monitor terminal, and a second terminal group including a secondantenna terminal connected to the output terminal of the second coupler,a second monitor terminal connected to the coupler terminal of thesecond coupler, and a second spacer terminal disposed between the secondantenna terminal and the second monitor terminal.

In this configuration, the first spacer terminal separates the firstantenna terminal and the first monitor terminal, and the second spacerterminal separates the second antenna terminal and the second monitorterminal. For this reason, in each of the first terminal group and thesecond terminal group, isolation between the antenna terminal and themonitor terminal is provided. When the first terminal group and thesecond terminal group are used to transmit a signal of a first band anda signal of a second band, the wiring board is able to be obtained thatprovides, for each band, high isolation between the antenna terminal andthe monitor terminal in the band. To improve the isolation effect, thefirst spacer terminal and the second spacer terminal are not connectedto any other circuit in the wiring board, or may be grounded.

Furthermore, the first antenna terminal among the first terminal groupmay be located closest to the second terminal group, the second antennaterminal among the second terminal group may be located closest to thefirst terminal group, or the first antenna terminal among the firstterminal group may be located closest to the second terminal group andthe second antenna terminal among the second terminal group may belocated closest to the first terminal group, and a third spacer terminalmay be disposed between the first terminal group and the second terminalgroup.

In this configuration, the third spacer terminal separates the firstterminal group and the second terminal group. For this reason, isolationbetween the first antenna terminal and each of the second antennaterminal and the second monitor terminal, and isolation between thesecond antenna terminal and each of the first antenna terminal and thefirst monitor terminal are provided. Thus, the wiring board is able tobe obtained that provides high isolation between the antenna terminalsfor the respective different bands and high isolation between theantenna terminal and the monitor terminal for the respective differentbands in addition to the isolation between the antenna terminal and themonitor terminal in the band. To improve the isolation effect, the thirdspacer terminal is not connected to any other circuit in the wiringboard, or may be grounded.

Furthermore, the first monitor terminal among the first terminal groupmay be located closest to the second terminal group and the secondmonitor terminal among the second terminal group may be located closestto the first terminal group, and no terminal is disposed between thefirst terminal group and the second terminal group.

In this configuration, the first monitor terminal separates the firstantenna terminal and each terminal of the second terminal group, and thesecond monitor terminal separates the second antenna terminal and eachterminal of the first terminal group. For this reason, isolation betweenthe first antenna terminal and each of the second antenna terminal andthe second monitor terminal, and isolation between the second antennaterminal and each of the first antenna terminal and the first monitorterminal are provided. Thus, the wiring board is able to be obtainedthat provides high isolation between the antenna terminals for therespective different bands and high isolation between the antennaterminal and the monitor terminal for the respective different bands inaddition to the isolation between the antenna terminal and the monitorterminal in the band.

The first monitor terminal and the second monitor terminal transmit aweak signal, and thus it is not necessary to achieve isolation incomparison with the antenna terminals, for example. Thus, no terminal isdisposed between the first terminal group and the second terminal group,and the first monitor terminal and the second monitor terminal aredisposed directly adjacent to each other. This reduces or minimizes thenumber of external connection terminals and therefore reduces the sizeof the wiring board.

Furthermore, a coupler module according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention includes the wiring board; and a switch that ismounted on the wiring board and includes a first terminal and a secondterminal to transmit signals of respective frequency bands differentfrom each other. The first terminal and the second terminal of theswitch are respectively connected to the input terminal of the firstcoupler and the input terminal of the second coupler. A distance betweenthe first terminal of the switch and the first antenna terminal isshorter than a distance between the first terminal of the switch and thefirst spacer terminal, and a distance between the second terminal of theswitch and the second antenna terminal is shorter than a distancebetween the second terminal of the switch and the second spacerterminal.

This configuration reduces the distance between the first terminal ofthe switch and the first antenna terminal and the distance between thesecond terminal of the switch and the second antenna terminal, each ofwhich is a main path of an antenna signal, and thus reduces theinsertion loss of the main path.

Furthermore, a coupler module according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention includes the wiring board; and a switch that ismounted on the wiring board and includes a first terminal and a secondterminal to transmit signals of respective bands different from eachother. The first terminal and the second terminal of the switch arerespectively connected to the input terminal of the first coupler andthe input terminal of the second coupler. The first coupler and thesecond coupler are defined by a wiring conductor provided in or on thewiring board. A first wiring conductor defining a signal path extendingfrom the first terminal of the switch, through the first coupler, to thefirst antenna terminal, a second wiring conductor defining a signal pathextending from the coupler terminal of the first coupler to the firstmonitor terminal, a third wiring conductor defining a signal pathextending from the second terminal of the switch, through the secondcoupler, to the second antenna terminal, and a fourth wiring conductordefining a signal path extending from the coupler terminal of the secondcoupler to the second monitor terminal are provided in respectiveregions that do not overlap one another when the wiring board is viewedin plan view.

In this configuration, the couplers are defined by wiring conductors,thus enabling reductions in size and cost. Furthermore, a path of anantenna signal and a path of a monitor signal do not overlap each otherwhen viewed in plan view, thus improving the isolation between theantenna terminal and the monitor terminal.

Furthermore, the coupler module may further include a filter mounted onthe wiring board.

This configuration enables the coupler module to be obtained thatincludes the filter and provides high isolation between terminals.

Furthermore, the coupler module may further include an amplifier mountedon the wiring board.

This configuration enables the coupler module to be obtained thatincludes the amplifier and provides high isolation between terminals.

Furthermore, a communication device according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention includes the coupler module; and an RF signalprocessing circuit to transmit a radio frequency transmission signal tothe coupler module.

In this configuration, when the coupler module is used that provideshigh isolation between terminals, the communication device is able to beobtained that monitors a signal with high accuracy and/or reduces noisegreatly.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, couplermodules that each include an antenna terminal and a monitor terminalthat are provided for each band and also provides high isolation betweenterminals, wiring boards each including a coupler module according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, and communication deviceseach including a coupler module according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention are able to be obtained.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics andadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments withreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of a coupler module according to a first preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a structure of acoupler module according to the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a structure of acoupler module according to a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an example of a structure of acoupler module according to a third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an example of a structure of acoupler module according to a modification of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an example of a structure of acoupler module according to a modification of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of a communication device according to a fourth preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that allof the preferred embodiments described below describe general orspecific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, thearrangement and connection configuration of the components, and otherfeatures and elements that are described in the following preferredembodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scopeof the present invention. Among the components in the followingpreferred embodiments, a component not described in an independent claimis described as an optional component. Furthermore, the size or sizeratio of a component illustrated in the drawings is not necessarilyexact.

First Preferred Embodiment

A coupler module according to a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is preferably a compound component used in a front-endcircuit of a communication device that supports multiple bands (aplurality of frequency bands), for example. The coupler module includesa plurality of signal paths that process radio frequency (RF) signals ofband groups different from each other in parallel. Each signal pathincludes a plurality of signal paths that selectively process a signalof one desired band of a plurality of bands defining a band group, andan RF signal of a desired band is processed by switching betweenconnection and disconnection of the signal paths.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the coupler module according to the first preferredembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a coupler module 10 includes ahigh band circuit HB and a low band circuit LB that process signals oftwo different band groups, and a plurality of external connectionterminals. Included among the external connection terminals are atransmission signal terminal TX1, a first antenna terminal ANT1, and afirst monitor terminal CPL1 that are provided for a high band, and atransmission signal terminal TX2, a second antenna terminal ANT2, and asecond monitor terminal CPL2 that are provided for a low band.

The high band circuit HB includes a power amplifier 11, switches 12 and13, band pass filters 14 and 15, a coupler 16, and a terminator 17.

The power amplifier 11 amplifies a transmission signal for the high bandthat has been supplied to the transmission signal terminal TX1, andsupplies the transmission signal to a common terminal A of the switch12. A transmission signal for the high band is a transmission signal ofone band selected from among a plurality of bands constituting the highband.

The switches 12 and 13 are preferably defined by, for example, an SP3T(single pole triple throw) switch, and perform switching of a signalpath between the common terminal A of the switch 12 and a commonterminal B of the switch 13 in accordance with a control voltage, whichis not illustrated. Specifically, of the band pass filters 14 and 15,one band pass filter appropriate for a band of a transmission signal isinserted in the signal path, or alternatively the common terminals A andB are grounded when transmission in the high band is not performed.

Here, a structure into which switches 13 and 23 are integrated is anexample of a switch, and the common terminal B of the switch 13 and acommon terminal D of the switch 23 are respectively examples of a firstterminal and a second terminal of the switch.

The coupler 16 includes an input terminal IN, which is one end of a mainline, an output terminal OUT, which is the other end of the main line,and a coupler terminal CPL, which is one end of a sub line,electromagnetically coupled to the input terminal IN. The other end ofthe sub line is terminated by the terminator 17. The coupler 16transmits a transmission signal of a high band by using the main lineand outputs a monitor signal, which is a coupling component of thetransmission signal, from the coupler terminal CPL. The terminator 17may preferably be defined by a resistor, for example.

The first antenna terminal ANT1 and the first monitor terminal CPL1 arerespectively connected to the output terminal OUT and the couplerterminal CPL of the coupler 16. The transmission signal and the monitorsignal that have been output from the coupler 16 are respectivelytransmitted to the first antenna terminal ANT1 and the first monitorterminal CPL1.

The low band circuit LB includes a power amplifier 21, switches 22 and23, band pass filters 24 and 25, a coupler 26, and a terminator 27.

The power amplifier 21 amplifies a transmission signal for the low bandthat has been supplied to the transmission signal terminal TX2, andsupplies the transmission signal to a common terminal C of the switch22. A transmission signal for the low band is a transmission signal ofone band selected from among a plurality of bands defining the low band.

The switches 22 and 23 perform switching of a signal path between thecommon terminal C of the switch 22 and the common terminal D of theswitch 23 in accordance with a control voltage, which is notillustrated. Specifically, of the band pass filters 24 and 25, one bandpass filter appropriate for a band of a transmission signal is insertedin the signal path, or alternatively the common terminals C and D aregrounded when transmission in the low band is not performed.

The coupler 26 includes an input terminal IN, which is one end of a mainline, an output terminal OUT, which is the other end of the main line,and a coupler terminal CPL, which is one end of a sub line,electromagnetically coupled to the input terminal IN. The other end ofthe sub line is terminated by the terminator 27. The coupler 26transmits a transmission signal of a low band by using the main line andoutputs a monitor signal, which is a coupling component of thetransmission signal, from the coupler terminal CPL. The terminator 27may preferably be defined by a resistor, for example.

The second antenna terminal ANT2 and the second monitor terminal CPL2are respectively connected to the output terminal OUT and the couplerterminal CPL of the coupler 26. The transmission signal and the monitorsignal that have been output from the coupler 26 are respectivelytransmitted to the second antenna terminal ANT2 and the second monitorterminal CPL2.

The transmission signal of the high band and the transmission signal ofthe low band that have been respectively transmitted from the firstantenna terminal ANT1 and the second antenna terminal ANT2 are combinedinto one antenna signal by a diplexer 70, and the antenna signal istransmitted from an antenna 80.

A reception circuit is not a component including features of the presentinvention, and illustration and description thereof are thereforeomitted. When a familiar reception circuit is appropriately added to theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1, a coupler module used for bothtransmission and reception is able to be obtained.

Next, a structure of the coupler module 10, and in particular, thearrangement of external connection terminals and signal paths will bedescribed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a coupler module 10 a,which is an example of the coupler module 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2,the coupler module 10 a includes, in or on a wiring board 30, a switchIC defining and functioning as the switches 13 and 23, the couplers 16and 26, and the terminators 17 and 27.

The wiring board 30 may preferably be, for example, a double-sidedwiring board or a multilayer wiring board made of a resin material, suchas phenol or epoxy, or a ceramic material.

In or on the wiring board 30, external connection terminals 31,component mounting terminals 32, wiring conductors 33, and connectionvias 34 are provided. In FIG. 2, the external connection terminals 31,the component mounting terminals 32, the wiring conductors 33, and theconnection vias 34 are respectively represented by large squares, smallsquares, thick solid lines, and large circles, and each of the referencenumerals denotes only one representative element for the sake ofsimplicity. The external connection terminals 31, the component mountingterminals 32, the wiring conductors 33, and the connection vias 34 maypreferably be made of an electrically conductive material containingcopper or silver as a main component, as an example.

The external connection terminals 31 are provided on one main surface ofthe wiring board 30 and is to be joined to a main board in mounting. Theexternal connection terminals 31 may preferably be, for example, surfaceelectrodes that are exposed at the mounting surface of the wiring board30. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the external connectionterminals 31 are disposed on a straight line along an edge of the wiringboard 30.

The component mounting terminals 32 are provided on another main surfaceof the wiring board 30 and on which a component, such as the switch IC,is to be mounted. The component mounting terminals 32 may preferably be,for example, surface electrodes that are exposed at the componentmounting surface of the wiring board 30.

The wiring conductors 33 are provided on the one main surface, the othermain surface, and a surface of an internal layer of the wiring board 30.The connection vias 34 are provided within the wiring board 30 andconnect the external connection terminals 31, the component mountingterminals 32, and the wiring conductors 33 to one another.

Included among the external connection terminals 31 are a first terminalgroup TG1 for the high band and a second terminal group TG2 for the lowband.

The first terminal group TG1 includes the first antenna terminal ANT1,the first monitor terminal CPL1, and a first spacer terminal GND1. Thefirst antenna terminal ANT1 and the first monitor terminal CPL1 arerespectively connected to the output terminal OUT and the couplerterminal CPL of the coupler 16. The first spacer terminal GND1 isdisposed between the first antenna terminal ANT1 and the first monitorterminal CPL1.

The arrangement of the first spacer terminal GND1 between the firstantenna terminal ANT1 and the first monitor terminal CPL1 may indicatethat, for example, when the wiring board 30 is viewed in plan view, atleast a portion of the first spacer terminal GND1 is located in aminimum rectangle R1 containing the first antenna terminal ANT1 and thefirst monitor terminal CPL1.

The second terminal group TG2 includes the second antenna terminal ANT2,the second monitor terminal CPL2, and a second spacer terminal GND2. Thesecond antenna terminal ANT2 and the second monitor terminal CPL2 arerespectively connected to the output terminal OUT and the couplerterminal CPL of the coupler 26. The second spacer terminal GND2 isdisposed between the second antenna terminal ANT2 and the second monitorterminal CPL2.

Here, the arrangement of the second spacer terminal GND2 between thesecond antenna terminal ANT2 and the second monitor terminal CPL2 mayindicate that, for example, when the wiring board 30 is viewed in planview, at least a portion of the second spacer terminal GND2 is locatedin a minimum rectangle R2 containing the second antenna terminal ANT2and the second monitor terminal CPL2.

The first antenna terminal ANT1 among the first terminal group TG1 islocated closest to the second terminal group TG2, and the second antennaterminal ANT2 among the second terminal group TG2 is located closest tothe first terminal group TG1. Third spacer terminals GND3 are disposedbetween the first terminal group TG1 and the second terminal group TG2.

Here, the arrangement of the third spacer terminals GND3 between thefirst terminal group TG1 and the second terminal group TG2 may indicatethat, for example, when the wiring board 30 is viewed in plan view, atleast a portion of the third spacer terminals GND3 is located in aminimum rectangle R3 containing the first terminal group TG1 and thesecond terminal group TG2.

In the arrangement of the external connection terminals 31 illustratedin FIG. 2, the first spacer terminal GND1 separates the first antennaterminal ANT1 and the first monitor terminal CPL1. Furthermore, thesecond spacer terminal GND2 separates the second antenna terminal ANT2and the second monitor terminal CPL2.

For this reason, in each of the first terminal group TG1 and the secondterminal group TG2, isolation between the antenna terminal and themonitor terminal is provided.

Thus, the coupler module 10 a provides, for each band, high isolationbetween the antenna terminal and the monitor terminal in the band.

Furthermore, the third spacer terminals GND3 separate the first terminalgroup TG1 and the second terminal group TG2.

For this reason, isolation between the first antenna terminal ANT1 andeach of the second antenna terminal ANT2 and the second monitor terminalCPL2, and isolation between the second antenna terminal ANT2 and each ofthe first antenna terminal ANT1 and the first monitor terminal CPL1 areprovided.

Thus, the coupler module 10 a provides high isolation between theantenna terminal and the monitor terminal for the respective differentbands and high isolation between the antenna terminals for therespective different bands in addition to the isolation between theantenna terminal and the monitor terminal in the band.

To improve the isolation effect, the first spacer terminal GND1, thesecond spacer terminal GND2, and the third spacer terminals GND3 are notconnected to any other circuit in the wiring board 30, or may begrounded.

Furthermore, both of the couplers 16 and 26 may be defined by the wiringconductors 33 provided in or on the wiring board 30. When the couplers16 and 26 are defined by the wiring conductors 33, the coupler module 10a are able to be reduced in size and cost.

Furthermore, included among the wiring conductors 33 are at least firstto fourth wiring conductors W1 to W4.

The first wiring conductor W1 defines a signal path extending from thecommon terminal B of the switch 13, which is the first terminal of theswitch, through the coupler 16, to the first antenna terminal ANT1.

The second wiring conductor W2 defines a signal path extending from thecoupler terminal CPL of the coupler 16 to the first monitor terminalCPL1.

The third wiring conductor W3 defines a signal path extending from thecommon terminal D of the switch 23, which is the second terminal of theswitch, through the coupler 26, to the second antenna terminal ANT2.

The fourth wiring conductor W4 defines a signal path extending from thecoupler terminal CPL of the coupler 26 to the second monitor terminalCPL2.

The first to fourth wiring conductors W1 to W4 may be provided inrespective regions that do not overlap one another when the wiring board30 is viewed in plan view. When the first wiring conductor W1 and thethird wiring conductor W3, each of which is a main path of an antennasignal, and the second wiring conductor W2 and the fourth wiringconductor W4, each of which is a path of a monitor signal, are disposedso that they do not overlap one another when viewed in plan view, theisolation between the antenna terminal and the monitor terminal is ableto be further improved.

Note that the arrangement of the external connection terminals 31 is notlimited to the example illustrated in FIG. 2, and, for example, thefollowing modifications may be made. That is, the first antenna terminalANT1, the first spacer terminal GND1, the first monitor terminal CPL1,two third spacer terminals GND3, the second antenna terminal ANT2, thesecond spacer terminal GND2, and the second monitor terminal CPL2 may bedisposed in this order. Furthermore, the first monitor terminal CPL1,the first spacer terminal GND1, the first antenna terminal ANT1, the twothird spacer terminals GND3, the second monitor terminal CPL2, thesecond spacer terminal GND2, and the second antenna terminal ANT2 may bedisposed in this order. Furthermore, the number of the third spacerterminals GND3 may be reduced to one.

In all of the arrangements, the first spacer terminal GND1 separates thefirst antenna terminal ANT1 and the first monitor terminal CPL1.Furthermore, the second spacer terminal GND2 separates the secondantenna terminal ANT2 and the second monitor terminal CPL2. Furthermore,the third spacer terminals GND3 separate the first terminal group TG1and the second terminal group TG2.

Thus, as in the coupler module 10 a, a coupler module is able to beobtained that provides high isolation between an antenna terminal and amonitor terminal for respective different bands and high isolationbetween the antenna terminals for the respective different bands inaddition to isolation between the antenna terminal and the monitorterminal in each band.

Second Preferred Embodiment

A coupler module according to a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention differs from the coupler module according to the firstpreferred embodiment in the arrangement of the external connectionterminals 31. Hereinafter, a description of matters described in thefirst preferred embodiment is appropriately omitted, and a descriptionwill be provided mainly about matters different from those in the firstpreferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a coupler module 10 baccording to the second preferred embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the coupler module 10 b differs from the coupler module 10 a illustratedin FIG. 2 in the following aspects.

That is, in the coupler module 10 b, the first monitor terminal CPL1among the first terminal group TG1 is located closest to the secondterminal group TG2, and the second monitor terminal CPL2 among thesecond terminal group TG2 is located closest to the first terminal groupTG1. Other terminals (for example, the third spacer terminals GND3 inthe coupler module 10 a) are not disposed between the first terminalgroup TG1 and the second terminal group TG2.

In the arrangement of the external connection terminals 31 illustratedin FIG. 3, the first monitor terminal CPL1 separates the first antennaterminal ANT1 and each terminal of the second terminal group TG2, andthe second monitor terminal CPL2 separates the second antenna terminalANT2 and each terminal of the first terminal group TG1. For this reason,isolation between the first antenna terminal ANT1 and each of the secondmonitor terminal CPL2 and the second antenna terminal ANT2, andisolation between the second antenna terminal ANT2 and each of the firstmonitor terminal CPL1 and the first antenna terminal ANT1 are provided.Thus, the coupler module 10 b provides high isolation between theantenna terminals for the respective different bands and high isolationbetween the antenna terminal and the monitor terminal for the respectivedifferent bands in addition to the isolation between the antennaterminal and the monitor terminal in the band.

The first monitor terminal CPL1 and the second monitor terminal CPL2transmit a weak signal, and thus it is not necessary to achieveisolation in comparison with the first antenna terminal ANT1 and thesecond antenna terminal ANT2, for example. Thus, no terminal is disposedbetween the first terminal group TG1 and the second terminal group TG2,and the first monitor terminal CPL1 and the second monitor terminal CPL2are disposed directly adjacent to each other. This reduces or minimizesthe number of the external connection terminals 31 and therefore reducesthe size of the coupler module 10 b.

Third Preferred Embodiment

A coupler module according to a third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention differs from the coupler module according to thesecond preferred embodiment in the arrangement of the externalconnection terminals 31. Hereinafter, a description of matters describedin the first preferred embodiment is appropriately omitted, and adescription will be provided mainly about matters different from thosein the second preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a coupler module 10 caccording to the third preferred embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4,the coupler module 10 c differs from the coupler module 10 b illustratedin FIG. 3 in the following aspects.

That is, in the coupler module 10 c, a distance d1 between the commonterminal B of the switch 13, which is the first terminal of the switch,and the first antenna terminal ANT1 is shorter than a distance d2between the common terminal B and the monitor terminal CPL1.Furthermore, a distance d3 between the common terminal D of the switch23, which is the second terminal of the switch, and the second antennaterminal ANT2 is shorter than a distance d4 between the common terminalD and the second monitor terminal CPL2. A distance between terminals maybe defined as a distance (FIG. 4) between centers of the respectiveterminals, or may be defined as a distance (not illustrated) betweenclosest points of the respective terminals.

As an example, the common terminal B of the switch 13 and the firstantenna terminal ANT1 may be located on a straight line orthogonal orsubstantially orthogonal to an edge of the wiring board 30, and thecommon terminal D of the switch 23 and the second antenna terminal ANT2may be located on a straight line orthogonal or substantially orthogonalto the edge of the wiring board 30.

The arrangement of the external connection terminals 31 illustrated inFIG. 4 reduces extensions of the first wiring conductor W1 and the thirdwiring conductor W3, each of which is the main path of an antennasignal, and thus reduces the insertion loss of the main path.

In the above description, although the example has been provided inwhich all of the external connection terminals 31 included in the firstterminal group TG1 or the second terminal group TG2 are arranged on astraight line along one edge (a left side in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) of thewiring board 30, the arrangement of the external connection terminals 31is not limited to this example.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a coupler module 10 daccording to a modification of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the coupler module 10 d, thearrangement of the common terminals B and D of the switches 13 and 23 ischanged in comparison with the coupler module 10 c illustrated in FIG.4. In accordance with this change, the first terminal group TG1 and thesecond terminal group TG2 are disposed in a corner portion at which twoedges of the wiring board 30 meet. The external connection terminals 31included in the first terminal group TG1 are arranged along a first edge(an upper side in FIG. 5). Furthermore, the external connectionterminals 31 included in the second terminal group TG2 are arrangedalong a second edge (a left side in FIG. 5).

The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5 has the following feature incommon with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4.

The first monitor terminal CPL1 among the first terminal group TG1 islocated closest to the second terminal group TG2, the second monitorterminal CPL2 among the second terminal group TG2 is located closest tothe first terminal group TG1, and no terminal is disposed between thefirst terminal group TG1 and the second terminal group TG2.

Furthermore, a distance between the common terminal B and the firstantenna terminal ANT1 is shorter than a distance between the commonterminal B and the first spacer terminal GND1, and a distance betweenthe common terminal D and the second antenna terminal ANT2 is shorterthan a distance between the common terminal D and the second spacerterminal GND2.

Even in the arrangement of the external connection terminals 31illustrated in FIG. 5, advantageous effects the same as or similar tothose of the coupler module 10 c illustrated in FIG. 4 are able to beachieved with the feature in common with the arrangement illustrated inFIG. 4. That is, the coupler module 10 d provides high isolation betweenthe antenna terminals for the respective different bands and highisolation between the antenna terminal and the monitor terminal for therespective different bands in addition to the isolation between theantenna terminal and the monitor terminal in the band. Furthermore, thenumber of the external connection terminals 31 is reduced or minimizedand the coupler module 10 d is therefore reduced in size.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a coupler module 10 eaccording to another modification of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. An arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6 differs from thearrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 only in an arrangement in which, inthe first terminal group TG1 and the second terminal group TG2, theexternal connection terminals 31 are arranged in a zigzag pattern.

Even in the arrangement of the external connection terminals 31illustrated in FIG. 6, advantageous effects the same as or similar tothose of the coupler module 10 c illustrated in FIG. 4 are achieved withthe feature in common with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4. Thatis, the coupler module 10 e provides high isolation between the antennaterminals for the respective different bands and high isolation betweenthe antenna terminal and the monitor terminal for the respectivedifferent bands in addition to the isolation between the antennaterminal and the monitor terminal in the band. Furthermore, the numberof the external connection terminals 31 is reduced or minimized and thecoupler module 10 e is therefore reduced in size.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, communicationdevices including the coupler modules according to the first to thirdpreferred embodiments and the modifications will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of a communication device 1 according to the fourthpreferred embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the communication device1 includes a baseband signal processing circuit 40, an RF signalprocessing circuit 50, a front-end circuit 60, and the diplexer 70.

The baseband signal processing circuit 40 converts, into a transmissionsignal, transmission data generated by an application device/applicationsoftware that provides a voice call, an image display, and otherfeatures, and supplies the transmission signal to the RF signalprocessing circuit 50. The conversion may include data compression, datamultiplexing, and addition of an error correcting code. The basebandsignal processing circuit 40 may preferably be defined by, for example,a baseband integrated circuit (BBIC) chip.

The RF signal processing circuit 50 converts the transmission signalgenerated by the baseband signal processing circuit 40 into atransmission RF signal, and supplies the transmission RF signal to thefront-end circuit 60. The conversion may include modulation andup-conversion of a signal, for example. The RF signal processing circuit50 may preferably be defined by, for example, a radio frequencyintegrated circuit (RFIC) chip.

The RF signal processing circuit 50 may, for CA, generate transmissionRF signals of two bands in parallel and supply the transmission RFsignals to the transmission signal terminals TX1 and TX2 of thefront-end circuit 60.

The front-end circuit 60 amplifies, using the power amplifiers, thetransmission RF signals of the respective bands generated by the RFsignal processing circuit 50, and outputs the transmission RF signals tothe first antenna terminal ANT1 and the second antenna terminal ANT2 forthe respective bands. The front-end circuit 60 is defined by the couplermodule 10 according to any of the first to third preferred embodimentsand the modifications.

The diplexer 70 combines the transmission RF signals of the respectivebands into one antenna signal and supplies the antenna signal to theantenna 80.

When the coupler module 10 according to any of the first to thirdpreferred embodiments and the modifications that provides high isolationbetween terminals is used as the front-end circuit 60, a communicationdevice is able to be obtained that monitors a signal with high accuracyand/or reduces noise greatly.

A reception circuit is not a component having features of the presentinvention, and illustration and description thereof are thereforeomitted. When a familiar reception circuit is appropriately added to theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 7, a communication device used forboth transmission and reception is able to be obtained.

Although the coupler modules and the communication devices according toeach preferred embodiment of the present invention have been describedabove, the present invention is not limited to the individual preferredembodiments. Various modifications conceived and made to the presentpreferred embodiments by a person skilled in the art, or configurationsconstructed by combining components in different preferred embodimentsmay also be included in the scope of the present invention as long asthey do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention,therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wiring board comprising: a first coupler; asecond coupler; and a plurality of external connection terminals;wherein each of the first coupler and the second coupler includes aninput terminal, which is one end of a main line, an output terminal,which is another end of the main line, and a coupler terminalelectromagnetically coupled to the input terminal; the plurality ofexternal connection terminals include: a first terminal group includinga first antenna terminal connected to the output terminal of the firstcoupler, a first monitor terminal connected to the coupler terminal ofthe first coupler, and a first spacer terminal disposed between thefirst antenna terminal and the first monitor terminal; and a secondterminal group including a second antenna terminal connected to theoutput terminal of the second coupler, a second monitor terminalconnected to the coupler terminal of the second coupler, and a secondspacer terminal disposed between the second antenna terminal and thesecond monitor terminal; and the first monitor terminal of the firstterminal group is located closest to the second terminal group and thesecond monitor terminal of the second terminal group is located closestto the first terminal group, and no terminal is disposed between thefirst terminal group and the second terminal group.
 2. A coupler modulecomprising: the wiring board according to claim 1; and a switch mountedon the wiring board and including a first terminal and a second terminalto transmit signals of respective frequency bands different from eachother; wherein the first terminal and the second terminal of the switchare respectively connected to the input terminal of the first couplerand the input terminal of the second coupler; a distance between thefirst terminal of the switch and the first antenna terminal is shorterthan a distance between the first terminal of the switch and the firstspacer terminal; and a distance between the second terminal of theswitch and the second antenna terminal is shorter than a distancebetween the second terminal of the switch and the second spacerterminal.
 3. The coupler module according to claim 2, further comprisinga filter mounted on the wiring board.
 4. The coupler module according toclaim 2, further comprising an amplifier mounted on the wiring board. 5.The coupler module according to claim 2, wherein the first antennaterminal of the first terminal group is located closest to the secondterminal group, the second antenna terminal of the second terminal groupis located closest to the first terminal group, or the first antennaterminal of the first terminal group is located closest to the secondterminal group and the second antenna terminal of the second terminalgroup is located closest to the first terminal group, and a third spacerterminal is disposed between the first terminal group and the secondterminal group.
 6. A communication device comprising: the coupler moduleaccording to claim 2; and an RF signal processing circuit to transmit aradio frequency transmission signal to the coupler module.
 7. Thecommunication device according to claim 6, further comprising a filtermounted on the wiring board.
 8. The communication device according toclaim 6, further comprising an amplifier mounted on the wiring board. 9.A coupler module comprising: the wiring board according to claim 1; anda switch mounted on the wiring board and including a first terminal anda second terminal to transmit signals of respective bands different fromeach other; wherein the first terminal and the second terminal of theswitch are respectively connected to the input terminal of the firstcoupler and the input terminal of the second coupler; the first couplerand the second coupler are defined by a wiring conductor provided in oron the wiring board; and a first wiring conductor defining a signal pathextending from the first terminal of the switch, through the firstcoupler, to the first antenna terminal, a second wiring conductordefining a signal path extending from the coupler terminal of the firstcoupler to the first monitor terminal, a third wiring conductor defininga signal path extending from the second terminal of the switch, throughthe second coupler, to the second antenna terminal, and a fourth wiringconductor defining a signal path extending from the coupler terminal ofthe second coupler to the second monitor terminal are provided inrespective regions that do not overlap one another when the wiring boardis viewed in plan view.
 10. The coupler module according to claim 9,further comprising a filter mounted on the wiring board.
 11. The couplermodule according to claim 9, further comprising an amplifier mounted onthe wiring board.
 12. A communication device comprising: the couplermodule according to claim 9; and an RF signal processing circuit totransmit a radio frequency transmission signal to the coupler module.13. The communication device according to claim 12, further comprising afilter mounted on the wiring board.
 14. The communication deviceaccording to claim 12, further comprising an amplifier mounted on thewiring board.